SIW Vegetables comes to Winterthur

If you missed last week’s opening of Winterthur’s Farm Stand, never fear: you’ll be able to shop every Thursday until Sept. 26. The debut happened on a Wednesday to give shoppers time to get their July 4 cookout goodies. This week the regular schedule begins. Hit it on Thursdays between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. for SIW Vegetables from H.G. Haskell's Farms in Chadds Ford, Pa. Owner H.G. Haskell III has conducted a gardening workshop series for Winterthur, Vegetable Gardening Month-by-Month, so the man knows. If you’re looking for sweet corn and juicy tomatoes, this is the place. Yes, you know Winterthur as a country estate and museum, but in its heyday, the property was home to vegetable gardens for owner Henry Francis du Pont and the families who worked there. Get a taste of that past on your visit. (800) 448-3883, winterthur.org

A Welcome Addition for a Superstar Chef

The big news for Wilmington foodies: the charming La Fia Bakery+Market+Bistro is here. The long-awaited place is owned by Bryan Sikora, locally known for Talula’s Table in Kennett Square, a single table in a gourmet shop that had to be booked for dinner a year in advance, thanks to the amazing food served there. So has the city gained something special? It sure has. Sikora was a founder of Phiily’s acclaimed Django, and turned a.kitchen into one of the city’s best. His La Fia, in the LOMA district, delivers delicious sandwiches on home-baked bread for breakfast and lunch, and dinner service began earlier this week. The place is small—35 seats—so book it soon. Patrons will also find plenty of specialty meats, artisanal cheeses and other high-end groceries. 543-5574, facebook.com/LaFiaWilmington

Blue Ribbon Brews

Get your best beer recipe brewing. The new Delaware Homebrew Championship will happen on Oct. 20, during the fourth annual Delaware Wine and Beer Festival. The event is an American Homebrewers Association-sanctioned competition, meaning the champion will be selected by Beer Judge Certified Program judges. Festival-goers who purchase VIP tickets will choose semi-finalists in five categories. The certified judges will pick the champion from those five. That means winners gain serious cred. The five categories will include: IPA (American/Imperial); American Ale (Pale, Amber, and Brown); Delaware-Grown Fruit Beer; Belgian/French Ale; and Specialty. “The festival is the perfect opportunity to attract home brewers from Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic Region,” said Charles Gray, competition coordinator. “It will blend seasoned brewmasters with novices in one fantastic atmosphere.” The Delaware Wine and Beer Festival features all of Delaware’s wineries, breweries and distilleries at one great event. This year’s theme is Drink Local, Eat Local and Buy Local, and will feature select Delaware restaurants serving seafood, barbecue and gourmet sandwiches. The Delaware Homebrew Championship is sponsored by the How Do You Brew home brewing store in Newark. Winners will receive $250 cash and a ribbon. It all goes down at the Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village in Dover from noon to 5 p.m. Stay tuned for more as the event nears. 800-233-5368, delawarewineandbeerfestival.com

One Tempting Table

If you’ve never been to one of the monthly International Nights to benefit the Ministry of Caring at the Emmanuel Dining Room, go. Your next opportunity is July 28, when chef Dan Butler of Piccolina Toscana fame hosts A Tuscan Table. (It’s what Butler does.) At $25 per ticket, it’s one of the best dining bargains around. Or buy a discounted pass for the year. Then feel good about eating. 652-3228, ministryofcaring.org

Foodies Afoot

If you’d rather eat at the beach than sit on it, this is for you: Eating Rehoboth. Book one for a Saturday afternoon. You’ll be treated to a three-hour tour of downtown restaurants and food retailers, with tastings pairing local wine and beer or signature cocktails. As you stroll from place to place, knowledgeable guides will fill you in local culinary legends and lore. Afterward, return to your favorite spot for lunch or dinner. Three of Rehoboth's top restaurateurs have been nominated for James Beard Awards for culinary excellence, which helps Eating Rehoboth rival any big-city restaurant tour. Hit it. (800) 979-3370, eatingrehoboth.com